PO2CGP: Comparative Government and Politics

Module code: PO2CGP

Module provider: Politics; School of Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Credits: 20

Level: Level 2 (Intermediate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Victor Araujo Silva, email: v.araujosilva@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 23 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module introduces students to the discipline of Comparative Politics. It examines and compares the origins of political systems, political institutions, regime formation and democratisation from all regions of the world from a comparative perspective. Studying this module will give students a good understanding of comparative methods and applying different research designs; the ability to comparatively analyse the development of state formation and democratisation processes around the world; and the tools to nuance, unpack and conceptualise some of the contemporary challenges that democratic nation-states face. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Describe and compare political systems within different countries, and the processes and institutions that account for differences between countries in various areas. 
2. Understand the different forms of comparative analysis and research design. 
3. Analyse the development of regime formation and democratization from a comparative perspective. 
4. Appreciate some of the contemporary challenges that democratic nation-states face. 

Module content

The module covers topics such as: 

1. The Importance of Comparison in Political Science 
2. The Logic of Comparison: Small and Large-N designs within Comparative Politics 
3. Theories and Levels of Analysis in Comparative Politics  
4. The Origins of the Modern Nation-State: Nationalism, Revolution and State Formation 
5. Comparative Regime Formation and Regime Types 
6. Democratisation, failed democratisation, and authoritarian regimes in comparison 
7. Comparative Political Economy and Economic Development: stability and failure of authoritarian regimes 
8. Ethnic Conflict & Failed States 
9. Theories of Voting Behaviour in the 21st century 
10. Party Competition in the 21st century 
11. Populism and challenges to contemporary democracy 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module commences with a set of three introductory lectures on the importance and logic of comparison: why do we compare, how do we do it properly, and what are the different levels of analysis in Comparative Politics? These lectures introduce students to quantitative and qualitative comparative research methods and the overall rationale of comparative research designs. The module then continues with looking on formation of nation-states and the development of different regime types across the globe and factors for their stability and decline. The module concludes with looking on ethnic conflict, voting, party system and challenges to democracy from a comparative perspective. 

Study hours

At least 22 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

• Feedback from staff about policy brief 
• Exercises and group work tasks in seminars will contain feedback research design and research strategies 

Reassessment

Additional costs